Charging box for open hearth furnace charging operation



May 2, 1944 J. W. FORSYTHE 2,347,899

CHARGING BOX FOR OPEN HEARTH FURNACE CHARGING OPERATION zljemif: J H/VW. FOESYTHE,

May 2, 1944- J. w. FoRsYTx-IE, 2,347,899

CHARGING BOX FOR OPEN HEARTH FURNACE CHARGING OPERATION 'File/1 sept. 5,1942 2 sheets-sheetz FIE.5.

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Patented May 2, 1944 UNITED STATES12 PATENT QFFICE CHARGING BOX FOR OPENHEARTH FUR/NACE CHARGING OPERATION Claims.

This invention relates to charging mechanism arm may be detachablyconnected to one end l of any one of a plurality of loaded chargingboxes positioned on the truck above mentioned.

It has been found that there are certain variations and tolerances inthe nature of the intertting and cooperating parts in the open-topsocket portion at one end of the box and the peel head portion which ismoved downward into said socket, by which means the detachableconnection is effected.

One of the diiculties encountered has been the engagement or contactingof uneven or projecting surfaces on portions of the socket, and moreparticularly a tie or crossbar portion of said socket which connects thelower portion of the vertical load carrying flanges of the socket, whichare intended to cooperate with vertical iiange portions of the peelhead, in order to afford sufficient bearing surface to withstand anduniformly distribute the forces and stresses resulting from the loadedcharging box, when lifted and moved by the peel or arm. It has furtherbeen found thatl the engagement or contacting of the uneven portion ofthe tie bar, with a portion of the peel head, and possibly at times theneck portion of the peel, has resultedinconcentrated and intensifiedstresses upon the tie bar, Which at times have been of such asufficiently high magnitude as to cause deformation or fracture of thetie bar or other associated parts of the open-top socket disposed at oneend of the charging box.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved chargingbox of such a structure as to minimize, if not eliminate, thedifficulties and objections of the prior art as above noted.

A further object is to provide a charging box so arranged andconstructed as to be enabled to employ a minimum thickness of metalstock for the bottom and sides, the construction being such as to enablesubstantially uniform expansion and contraction of the bottom and sidesof the charging box under the heating and cooling conditions to whichsaid box is subjected'in practical operation.

A further object is to provide an improved charging box oflighterweight, but yet being of such structure as to aiford a maximumstrength in resisting stresses and moments resulting from lifting arelatively heavy loaded charging box from one end thereof.

Further, one of the specific objects of the invention is to provide acharging box in which the relative arrangement of the parts,constituting the open-top socket at one end of the charging box foreffecting a detachable connection with the head of the peel arm, are sodisposed and arranged as to present a spaced or recessed portion betweena tie bar, connecting vertical anges of the socket, and between anadjacent head portion 'of the peel or arm', so as to minimize, if noteliminate,v the possibility of fracture or deformation of such tie bar,whicnmight otherwise result from unduly intensified and concentratedstresses, if said tie barotherwise were permitted to come into bearingload carrying engagement with the head portion of the peel.

Generally stated, the above diiiiculties are minimized, if not overcome,and the above objects are obtained by providing a charging box havingsuitably disposed corrugations in either one or both the bottom and thesides,and an end to remedy the deformation, cracks yor fractures due tothe heat eifect and cooling; and the difficulties at the open-top socketportion at one end of the box, involving the deformation, fracture orbreaking of the crossbar due to un. even contacting surfaces and theresulting intensied stresses, are overcome by so disposing and arrangingthe adjacent parts of the peel vhead which is inserted in the socketopening,and the crossbar in its relation to the peel head and the neckportion leading thereto; as to form a recess or -spaced portion betweenthe crossbar and said adjacnt parts abovenoted.

One selected embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings forpurposes of illustrai tion, it being understood that various 4changesand other specic forms may be employed in which the spirit of theinvention may be embodied, such changes and ,modifications being withinthe knowledge of those skilled in the art.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a charging box embodyingthe invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section looking in the direction of thearrows and taken on the line II-II of Figure 1 and more clearly showsthe space or recess formed between the inner face of the crossbar at thelower portion of the open-l A tical flange faces I and I6, with a slighttaper top socket at one end of the box, and the load the open-top socketis, indicated 4in phantom by dotted line position in Figure 3; and,

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section looking in the direction ofthe arrows andtaken on the line lIV--IV of Figure 2. Y

In the drawings, the charging box is indicated outwardly so that themain load bearing portion of the peel head vertical flange I'Ia wouldhave contact with the vertical ange faces I5, I6 at or adjacent to theirpoint of juncture or connection with the outer end of the ends 'I, 8which form a portion of the socket.

Such a feature maybe desirable as minimizing intensified turning momentsor stresses upon the unsupported portion of the Vertical flanges 9, I0`adjacent the sides of the neck portion I8 of the peel or arm. Suchunsupported or unreinforced @faces, identified as '9a and Ia of thevertical generally by the reference character IA and isv shown ascomprising a bottom 2 and sides 3, 3a, an outer end 4, and an end 5adjacent the opentop` socket aperture 6 at one end ofthe box which mightbe referred to as the lifting end whichis engaged by peel head portionI'I, indicated in phantom dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3. Av neckportion of the peel arm is also shown inv phantom dotted lines inFigures 2 and 3 and is indicatedY generally by referenceV character I8.

The socket portion is formed by socket ends 1, 8 extending downwardlyfromthe open-top socket aperture 6, said socket ends 1.8 extendingdownwardly and forming vertical guides for the side edges of the peelhead I'I as it is lowered downwardly within the socket to a positionindicated in` phantom dotted lines in Figures 2 and V3 asabove'indicated. At the outer end of the socket ends 1; 8,'and disposedinwardly toward the central longitudinal axis of the charging box, are

verticallyV extending load carrying flanges 9, Ill,v

said vertical flanges being in substantial alignment and disposed in.load carryinggrelation with vertical flanges IIa, said vertical flangesIIa being disposedon the peel-head I'I on opposite sides of the 'peelneck I8v (the peel neck being shown in phantomY dotted lines in Figures2 and 3)- so that` said vvertical anges I'Ia of the ,peel

lar disposition to a vertical plane as more clearly shown in FigureZ. Ofcourse, the bearing face portionxof the vertical flanges I'Iar of thepeel head IFI` are also "correspondingly tapered or an- Ygularlydisposed to -have bearing contact with the linner bearingA faces I5, I6of said vertical flangesY It is under- 9, I0, respectively, of thesocket. stood, of course, that the present invention is not limited tosuch particular taper or angular disposition 'of such bearing. faces,but, if desired, such bearing faces, may assume a vertical plane. Fromthe standpoint ofthe operation of lowering the peel head into loadcarrying position Within Vthe sockeiga' disposition ofthe bearing facesin a substantially vertical plane may have some advantages, inasmuch asthe p eel head may belowered directly into a vertical plane to bring thepeel head into functioning load carrying position within the socket. It44may be preferable, if so desired, to provideitheV face portion of thevertical flanges I-1a-of the peel head, which lie adanges 9, i8,respectively (see'Figures 1 and 3), form what might be called a recessedor slotted aperture of suicient width to receive the peel neck I3 as thepeel head I'I is lowered into load carrying position within the socket.It is preferable aiso that such outer vertical edge faces 9a, Ilia ofthe vertical flange portions 9, I0, respectively, of the-socket have aslight outward taper with the verticalplane as they extend upwardly, soas to provide aslotted portion which is wider at the top than at thebottom portion, in order to facilitate free entry of the peel neck I8 asthe peel head is lowered into its functioning position within thesocket.

A tie or crossbar I I extends between and connects the lower end of thevertical flanges 9, I0 of the socket. Such a tie bar serves to strength-`en and reinforce the lower portion of the vertical vflanges 9, I0 ofthe socket, and the upper edge of the tie .bar I I serves to limit thedownward move- Ament of the peel neck I8 when the peel head II is jacentto the correspondingly disposed inner veris .positioned within thesocket.

lowered into load carrying position within the socket designatedgenerally by reference character 6.` In order to prevent contact betweenthe inner faceA I2 of the tie bar I I, with the Deel head I'I whenlowered into functioning'position -within the socket, due to anyunevenness of the surfaces, a spaced or recessed portion I3 is providedbetween tlie inner face I2 of the tie bar II and the portion ofthe peelhead I'I adjacent thereto. The 4spaced or recessed portion I3 is Vmoreclearly shown in Figure 2, and also in Fig- -ure 1, in both of whichfigures the thickness of vthe tie bar II is shown as being less than thethickness of the 4lower portion of the vertical flanges 9, I8 atthepoint of connection of the tie bar II therewith. i

As hereinbefore pointed out, one of the difficulties encountered in theprior art with loaded charging Y boxes of the Vtype shown herein,A inwhich the loaded charging box is lifted and transported by a peel headhaving a connection with `the socket at one end of the charging box, hasbeen the frequent deformation, r-upture or fracture of the tie bar dueto the contacting of uneven surfaces between the tie bar and the peelhead, which resulted in excessive and highly concentrated stresses onthe tie bar at the points of contact, which were not points primarilyintended to serve as reactive points to carry the load, or to resist theintensified stresses and moments of force due tothe weight of thechargingzbox and 4its load, acting through the center of gravitythereof, and through a relatively long Ymoment arm, acting about apivotal point located -at some point approximately located at one end'of the loadedy charging box, where the peel head When the peel head I7is snugly positioned within the opentop socket 6, the peel head willassume approx- Yimately the phantom position indicated in dotted linesas shown in Figure 2.4 As shown, the end tio'n of the socket.:

ofthe peel head is formed with oppositely taper'- ing surfaces 23, 24(see Figure 2) tapering'in a direction so that the thickest portion ofthe peel head is disposed substantially centrally thereof, the thinnerportion ofthe peel head being adjacent the top and bottom portion of thesocket, when the peel head is positioned in saidsocket. Such anarrangement of tapering surfaces on the peel headpermits of twopositions of they peel head, displaced by 180, which may be utilized-forlowering the peel head into the socket 6.

As shown, the lower portion of the socket is formedby an angularlydisposed wall 2| which is disposed adjacent to and may be in substantialparallelism with, and in bearing c-ontact with, the lower tapering face24 of the peel head. Any bearing contact between the wall 2| of thesocket land the tapering face 24 of the peel head would servelas areacting point or area tending to resist any turning moment or forcesabout any pivotal point of support in the peel head I'I, or the neckportion I'8 `of the peel `or arm.' The vangularly disposed wall 2|extends upwardly from the bottom of the socket, to a point substantiallybetween the top and the bottom of the socket,

such, for example, as a point indicated by refer-- vfeature being thatthe cross or tie bar II be thinner than the thickness of the verticalflanges,

and' of such a dimension as to assure the pro- -vision of a spaceportion or recess I3 between the inner face I 2 of the tie bar and theadjacent porpeel head when positioned in the As a means of providing abody portion for the charging box of minimum thickness of metal,

which will provide a structure of maximum -strength and minimize thedeformationsfractures and surface cracks, due to the expansion andcontractiveiforces when the chargingbox is subjected to intense heating,followed by cooling,

.there isprovided a feature which enables maximum strength to be had andalso permits expansion and contraction of the various partsof thecharging box, without encountering excessive Vand concentrated stressesthat are likely to result in surface cracks or deeper fractures. 'f

As shown in the drawings, the bottom 2 Vof the box is formed by asuccession or series of corruga- .Ytions including the `'convex or crestportions 25 `likewise the concave portionv 28 on the inner face of thebottom, underlying and conforming tothe convex portion 25 on the outerface ofthe bottom. Preferably, the extent or depth of the corrugationsas indicated by the depth between the concave portions 26, 28 and theconvex portions '25, 21 respectively, is greater than the thickness ofthe metal comprising the bottom 2. Such a series of wave-likecorrugations permit a considerabledegree of expansion under intense heatand subsequent contraction upon cooling, without imposing undue stresseswhich are likely toV result in fractures of the metal, and alsominimizes the likelihood of formation of surface cracks. Asshown, thecrest or convex portions of the corrugations extend transversely of thecharging box across the bottom thereof, but it is understood'that ifdesired, other dispositions and arrangements of the corrugations may behad, such for example as by disposing the crest and furrow portions inlongitudinal relation to the length of the charging box. Thecorrugations afford a stiifening or reinforcing strengthening effect inthe direction inl which the cor-` rugation extends, or morespecifically, in the direction in which the convex or crest portion ofthe wave-like corrugation extends.

As shown in the drawings, the sides 3 and`3 of the charging box are alsoprovided with co1'- rugations having a series of convex orcrest'portions 29, followed by a concave or furrow portion 30 on theouter face of the sides `(see particularly Figures 1 and 4). On theinner face of the sides there is also presented a series of convex orcrest porti-ons 3|, corresponding in position with the concave portion30 on the outer face of the side, and also a concave or furrow portion32 on the inner face of the side, which concave portion 32 Vcorrespondsin general form to the convex crest -portion 29 on the outer face of thecharging box side.

As shown in the drawings, the corrugations in the bottom are continuouswith the corrugations in the two sides 3, 3a, but it is understood thatthis is not necessary as the corrugationsfma'yv be arranged in variousforms in the bottom only, or the sides only, or in both `the bottom andVthe sides, and in various relations best adapted to meet the particularrequirements of strength and weight desired, andthe requirements ofexpansion and contraction under the temperatures involved.

' As shown, corrugations are formed inthe end wall 4 of the chargingbox. The corrugations are shown as being of the same general form as thecorrugations in the bottom and sides, said corrugations 33 being shownas extending in `a vertical plane, extending from the top t-o the bottomof the end 4. Here also, the size, arrangement and relation of thecorrugations in the end".4v

lmay be varied as desired and may extend in a horizontal plane and maybe of a different size than those employed in the bottom or side, de.-pendent upon the conditions met with in practice.

Preferably, stiffening ribs 34 or a series of such ribs may be providedas reinforcing members, extending upward from the bottom of the box andalong the inner face of the lend 4. Such strengthening and reinforcingribs 34 minimize the likelihood of the end 4 being displaced or forcedoutwardly longitudinally of the charging box.

If desired, apertures 35 may be provided inthe bottom 2 of the chargingbox, such aperture being provided in suitable number and variousarrangements as desired. Such apertures 35 serve as Ventilatingapertures, and also serve as drainage apertures in the event of thepresencerof liquid within the box. Preferably, the ange 36 is .formedabout the upper edge of the sides 3, 3a vand end 4 of the charging box.

. strut portions extend substantially vertically from the bottom to thetop of the charging box and serve to reinforce the vertical flanges 9, lof the socket.

Referring moreV particularly to Figure 3, there isshown an aperture ,49inlthe strut portions 31, 38, said aperture 4U being substantiallybetween the top and the bottom of thebox. The aperture 40 is shown insubstantial alignment with a cutaway or slotted portion 39 (see Figure3), said slottedzportion 39 being formed intermediate the ends of thejvertical flanges 9, I0 vof` the socket. Such a structure permits thepassage of a locking bar'to .pass 4therethrough: as one means of lockingthe socket end of vthefcharging box in lifting relation with theneck andlhead portion of the peel or arm; Of course, a suitable passage oropening also would beprovided in A,the neck andheadportion ofthe peel toreceive such a locking bar. Such an aperture in the peel or arm portionsis not lshown herein as it constitutes no part of the present invention.

In certain types of manipulating mechanism for the charging box, alocking bar is moved longitudinally of the; boxv in order to effect alocking relation between the head portion of the peel` arm and the,charging box. In order to provide forgsuch a longitudinal movablelocking bar, suitable apertures 4I may be provided in the ends 4 and 5of the charging box. Y

While one preferred form of the invention has beenrshown and describedherein, it is understood that various changesand modications may be madevby `tho-se familiar with the art .without departing from the spirit andscope ofthe invention as defined inthe appended claims.

I claim: Y Y l 1. In va charging box for charging open hearth furnacesVadapted tobe lifted by a detachable connection between the head portionof a peel or arm, and an opentop socket portion disposed at vone end ofthe box, strengthening means to facilitate liftingthe loaded chargingbox, said strengthening means including corrugations in the s idesandbottomY of said charging box extending transversely and as continuousWave-like fo lds,fand being ,formed b y deforming substantiallyuniformly the entire thickness of metal, the

depth of the concave or valley recess portion of the corrugation beinggreater than the thickness of the metal stock from which the chargingbox is made, said open-top socket including spaced end portionsextending outwardly from the end and in a direction longitudinally ofthe charging box, and extendingsubstantially from the vtop to the bottomof the box, spaced Vertical flange portions at the outer end of saidspaced end portions, the space between said vertical( of the peel headdisposed `on opposite sides of` the neck portion, toV carry the weightof the loa-ded charging `box when the peel head'portion arenaria'.necting .the lower end of said spaced vertical said peel head is inload bearing position in said socket, and presenting a recess or spacedporftion between the tie bar and the peel, whereby the likelihood ofdeformation or fracture ofthe tie bar, or othervparts of the socket,through concentrated stresses resulting from accidental or limitedbearing contact with the load carrying peel head or neck, is minimized,if not eliminated.

2. In a charging box for charging open hearth furnaces, adapted to'belifted by a detachable connection between the head portion of a peelneck or arm, and an nOpen-top socket portion disposed at said` endofftheY box, and strengthening means for the socket at one end ofthebox,outside of said endrwall of the box, to minimize or eliminate thelikelihood of fracture due to the concentration g of :stresses betweencertain inter;- fering or-,contactingy uneven surfaces between portionsof the-peel head, and .portions of the socket, saidstrengthening meanscomprising an open-top socket having spaced end portions extendingoutwardly from the end and inA a direction longitudinally of thecharging box, and eX- tending substantially from the top to the bottomof the box, spaced vertical flange portions, at the outer end of saidspaced end portions, disposed substantially normal to said end portions,the space between said vertical flanges forming anv open slot-likeaperture adapted to receive the neck portion ofthe peel, the inner faceof each of said Verticalrflangeportions presenting'a load carryingbearing portion, extending from sub-v stantially the bottom tothe top ofthe charging box, andadapted and disposed to lie in alignment with, andcooperate with, Ythe vertically disposed load carrying flanges of thepeel' head disposed on opposite sides of the neck portion to .-carry.'the;we'ight of the loaded chargingbox when the peel head portion ispositioned within vthe socket, and a tie bar, connecting the lower `endof said spaced vertical flange portions, of the socket, when said peelhead is iny load bearing fracture of the tie bar, or other parts of thesocket through yconcentrated stresses resulting '3. In a charging boxfor charging open hearth furnaces, adaptedto be lifted by a detachable nconnection between .the head portio'n of a peel or is positioned withinthe socket, and atie bar, conarm, and an open-top socket portiondisposed 'at said end of thev box, said peel head portion `having aneckv portion, strengthening means for the 'socket at oneend of the box,to minimize-or eliminate thelikelihood of. fracture and theconcentrationof stresses between yportions of the .peel head, and.portions of the socket, said strengthening means comprising an open-topsocketvincluding spaced end portions extending outwardly'from the end`Aand in a direction longi- Ttudinally of the charging box, spacedvertical ilange portions, at the outer end of'said spaced Vend portions,disposed substantially normal to said end portions, the space betweensaid vertical 4anges forming an open slotlike aperture yadapted toreceive the neckportion of the peel,

the inner face of each of said vertical ange portions presenting a loadcarrying bearing portion,

and adapted and disposed to lie in alignment with, and cooperate with,the vertically disposed load carrying anges of the peel head disposed onopposite sides of the neck portion, to carry the Weight of the loadedcharging box when the peel head portion is positioned Within the socket,and a tie bar connecting the lower end of said spaced vertical flangeportions of the socket, said tie bar being spaced from the head portion,at the inner face of the tie bar, when said peel head is in load bearingposition in said socket, and presenting a recess or spaced portionbetween the tie bar and the peel, whereby the likelihood of deformationor fracture of the tie bar, or other parts of the socket, throughconcentrated stresses resulting from accidental or limited bearingcontact with the load carrying peel head or neck, is minimized, if noteliminated.

4. In the combination of a charging box and a peel head disposed at oneend of a peel neck, said charging box having an open-top socket portionat one end, and including a plurality of spaced vertically disposedflanges forming an open slot-like aperture adapted to receive the headand neck portions of the peel, a tie bar connecting the lower end ofsaid spaced vertical flanges of the socket in such a manner as to bespaced or recessed from the head portion of the peel When said headportion is disposed in load carrying position in the open-top socketportion at one end of the charging box.

5. The combination, as defined in claim 4 and including laterallydisposed corrugations in the sides and bottom of said charging box.

JOHN W. FORSYTHE.

